Dayton-area abortion clinic loses Ohio Supreme Court fight

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to hear an appeal from the Dayton area’s lone abortion clinic as it fights to stay open.

The Women’s Med Center wanted the state’s top court to reverse a ruling from two lower courts that had upheld the Ohio Department of Health’s order for the clinic to close. The state said Women’s Med did not secure a written transfer agreement from a local hospital as required.

Clinic supporters have said the transfer rules are not medically needed and are political in nature.

It is unclear what the news means immediately for Women’s Med.

Anti-abortion forces said transfer agreements ensure patient safety and have said the clinic would have to close if it lost at the Ohio Supreme Court level.

Margie Christie, executive director of Dayton Right to Life and president of the Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio, said the decision handed down by the court is a major victory for the pro-life effort.

“We thank the Department of Health and the Attorney General’s Office for pursuing this matter and working to close this blight on our community,” Christie said.